Assessment of Electrical Brain Activity of Healthy Volunteers Exposed to 3.5 GHz of 5G Signals within Environmental Levels: A Controlled–Randomised Study

Abstract

Assessment of Electrical Brain Activity of Healthy Volunteers Exposed to 3.5 GHz of 5G Signals within Environmental Levels: A Controlled–Randomised Study My note: Contrary to the authors' claims, the signal generator employed in this study (SMB100A [1406.6000.02], Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co KG, Munich, Germany) cannot produce a 5G signal. Jamal L, Yahia-Cherif L, Hugueville L, Mazet P, Lévêque P, Selmaoui B. Assessment of Electrical Brain Activity of Healthy Volunteers Exposed to 3.5 GHz of 5G Signals within Environmental Levels: A Controlled–Randomised Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2023; 20(18):6793. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20186793. Abstract Following the recent deployment of fifth-generation (5G) radio frequencies, several questions about their health impacts have been raised. Due to the lack of experimental research on this subject, the current study aimed to investigate the bio-physiological effects of a generated 3.5 GHz frequency. For this purpose, the wake electroencephalograms (EEG) of 34 healthy volunteers were explored during two “real” and “sham” exposure sessions. The electromagnetic fields were antenna-emitted in an electrically shielded room and had an electrical field root-mean-square intensity of 2 V/m, corresponding to the current outdoor exposure levels. The sessions were a maximum of one week apart, and both contained an exposure period of approximately 26 min and were followed by a post-exposure period of 17 min. The power spectral densities (PSDs) of the beta, alpha, theta, and delta bands were then computed and corrected based on an EEG baseline period. This was acquired for 17 min before the subsequent phases were recorded under two separate conditions: eyes open (EO) and eyes closed (EC). A statistical analysis showed an overall non-significant change in the studied brain waves, except for a few electrodes in the alpha, theta, and delta spectra. This change was translated into an increase or decrease in the PSDs, in response to the EO and EC conditions. In conclusion, this study showed that 3.5 GHz exposure, within the regulatory levels and exposure parameters used in this protocol, did not affect brain activity in healthy young adults. Moreover, to our knowledge, this was the first laboratory-controlled human EEG study on 5G effects. It attempted to address society’s current concern about the impact of 5G exposure on human health at environmental levels. Open access paper: mdpi.com

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

In 34 healthy volunteers, overall EEG band power (beta, alpha, theta, delta) showed non-significant changes between real and sham exposure sessions, with exceptions at a few electrodes in alpha, theta, and delta spectra showing increases or decreases depending on eyes open/closed condition. The authors conclude that 3.5 GHz exposure at 2 V/m (environmental/regulatory level) did not affect brain activity under the protocol used.

Outcomes measured

• Wake EEG power spectral density (PSD) changes in beta, alpha, theta, delta bands under eyes open (EO) and eyes closed (EC) conditions

Limitations

• Exposure described as a generated 3.5 GHz frequency; specific modulation/5G signal characteristics not detailed in the abstract
• Short exposure duration (~26 min) and short follow-up (post-exposure ~17 min)
• Findings include some electrode-specific significant changes despite overall non-significant results

Suggested hubs

• 5g-policy (0.78)
  Laboratory-controlled human study assessing effects of 3.5 GHz (5G-associated) exposure at environmental/regulatory levels.

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    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "other",
        "frequency_mhz": 3500,
        "sar_wkg": null,
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    },
    "population": "34 healthy volunteers (healthy young adults)",
    "sample_size": 34,
    "outcomes": [
        "Wake EEG power spectral density (PSD) changes in beta, alpha, theta, delta bands under eyes open (EO) and eyes closed (EC) conditions"
    ],
    "main_findings": "In 34 healthy volunteers, overall EEG band power (beta, alpha, theta, delta) showed non-significant changes between real and sham exposure sessions, with exceptions at a few electrodes in alpha, theta, and delta spectra showing increases or decreases depending on eyes open/closed condition. The authors conclude that 3.5 GHz exposure at 2 V/m (environmental/regulatory level) did not affect brain activity under the protocol used.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "Exposure described as a generated 3.5 GHz frequency; specific modulation/5G signal characteristics not detailed in the abstract",
        "Short exposure duration (~26 min) and short follow-up (post-exposure ~17 min)",
        "Findings include some electrode-specific significant changes despite overall non-significant results"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "moderate",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "5G",
        "3.5 GHz",
        "RF exposure",
        "EEG",
        "brain activity",
        "sham exposure",
        "controlled randomized",
        "environmental levels",
        "2 V/m",
        "eyes open",
        "eyes closed"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "5g-policy",
            "weight": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
            "reason": "Laboratory-controlled human study assessing effects of 3.5 GHz (5G-associated) exposure at environmental/regulatory levels."
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}

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